'Dark Shadows' in Portumna workhouse

The 2023 season is in full swing; the workhouse and all its attractions are open seven days a week.

They offer guided tours each day at 10am-12noon and2pm-4pm. Book in advance or just turn up.

One of the must-see exhibitions is Kieran Tuohy’s ‘Dark Shadows’ with new additions added to the display. Each piece, carved in the medium of bog oak, immortalises the stories of our famine ancestors. From the Line of Soups to the Gates of the Poorhouse: The story of the workhouse and the history of the famine emanates from each face, hand and bone. The images here of intimidation and shame are one of this year’s new additions.

Abandoning the normal bogwood sculpting techniques of bringing out the natura; forms in the wood into apparent objects, Kieran unearths his own images from the wood. He is unique in that he creates his own shapes and uses many subtly different textures to achieve the finish he wants, using the natural flaws in the wood to great effect.

You can learn more about Kieran and his work at: www.kierantuohy.com.